The story of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett, continues to captivate audiences. Now 22 years old, her story has been revived in the Hulu limited series, Good American Family, which premiered on March 19, 2025. This series examines the case from multiple viewpoints, exploring themes of perspective, bias, and trauma. Let’s dive into where Natalia is today and what transpired in her turbulent past.
Where Is Natalia Grace Now?
Natalia Grace is now preparing for independent living. In January 2025, she shared with PEOPLE that she is learning to drive and studying for her GED. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “It’s been a big learning curve for me. For the most part, I’ve made peace. It is definitely a blessing to be alive today. There’s nothing I can do to change the past.”
Despite all the challenges, Natalia feels free. “Learning everything I have about living with my dwarfism—it’s been a great experience. I love it. I feel free,” she explained. While she misses her siblings, she finds comfort in her current life. Natalia now lives with Nicole and Vince DePaul, who have become her adoptive family.
In the Hulu docuseries, she opens up about her past. “In every lie is a hidden truth, but you’ve gotta dig enough to be able to see it,” Natalia says in a trailer for the series. “They’re not going to get away with this. This is my side of the story. Do I look like a monster to you?”
What Happened to Natalia Grace?
Natalia was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett in 2010, at the age of six. However, her adoption quickly turned into a public scandal. The couple claimed that Natalia tried to harm them and even accused her of being an adult sociopath posing as a child. In 2012, the Barnetts went to court to change her birth year from 2003 to 1989, claiming that she was an adult at the time of adoption. They then moved to Canada, leaving Natalia behind to live alone in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana.
The Investigation Discovery docuseries, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, revealed Natalia’s perspective on the events, showcasing her side of the story and challenging the Barnetts’ allegations. In the docuseries, Natalia denied ever attempting to harm her adoptive parents, saying, “I was never in y’all’s room with a knife.”
The show also highlighted previously unseen evidence, including genetic experts who helped determine Natalia’s true age and retired FBI agents who investigated her case. Natalia confronted her former adoptive parents in the docuseries, offering a glimpse into her life with them and the difficult conditions she endured.
What Happened to Michael and Kristine Barnett?
After their separation in 2018, Michael and Kristine Barnett faced criminal charges in 2022 related to their abandonment of Natalia. They were accused of neglecting and endangering her life. Michael was found not guilty in 2022, and in March 2023, the charges against Kristine were dropped.
The legal battles surrounding Natalia’s case continue to spark controversy, and the questions about the true nature of her adoption remain unresolved.
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